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Don't know what to think

I'm in turmoil as I type this post. I feel so confused, and my conversation with the vets hasn't cleared anything up

I've been worrying about Misty over the last few months. She's always been a head rubber since we first got her, but lately she's been having scratching episodes when she is excited, which go away when she calms down. We've been to the vets and she's been treated for ear infections, and had cream for her jowls in case there was an irritation there too. She's also started whipping round and looking at her rear end, not everyday, just on the odd occasion. She does seem to like to sleep with her head up, especially on my pillow.

We went to the vets tonight as I wanted to talk to them about SM. I had brought it up before with their head vet, but was brushed off. His opinion seemed to be that as there was no treatment for it, why prove a dog has it. He then suggested I keep her ears clean, and trimmed short as it's more likely to be ear problems. Tonight I saw one of the small animal vets and listed her symptoms, and asked what he thought? I basically spilled my guts about how I'm worrying about her, and how I wondered if it could be SM. He said it's a possibility that her symptoms could be SM related, but as there are no treatments for SM, would it be worth putting her through all the tests to find out. He said I need to weigh up the process against how much pain I think she could be in. I asked, is it not worth getting scanned so she could be properly medicated. His response confused me even more. He said it's so hard to balance the meds, and that most of the time the results are not successful.

He sent us home with Metacalm to see how she responds.

I have such a sore head, and none of my worries have went away. Is he telling me there is no point in getting her scanned? Is it because her age? Are her symptoms not severe enough to warrant a scan? What if the Metacalm does work, would he then try and medicate her without any test? Honestly I can hardly think straight. We only have two good vet practices in our area, but should I seek another vets opinion? Would that affect out pet insurance if we do need an MRI scan?

I would get a second opinion. If my vet told me there is no point to scan, I would be furious. It is nice that this vet is being somewhat honest, but perhaps he has not witnessed any success stories? A lot of Cavaliers imrpove dramatically once the right medication and dosage is figured out. We read about that on CT all the time!

Even if there was "no hope" for treatment, all scans of cavaliers are valuable to research. When I have Coco scanned in the future, I plan on sending her results in to help with research.

We went to the vets tonight as I wanted to talk to them about SM. I had brought it up before with their head vet, but was brushed off. His opinion seemed to be that as there was no treatment for it, why prove a dog has it.

He said I need to weigh up the process against how much pain I think she could be in. I asked, is it not worth getting scanned so she could be properly medicated. His response confused me even more. He said it's so hard to balance the meds, and that most of the time the results are not successful.

All your vet would have to do is read CT forum and know there are treatments and medications that would help with symptoms and pain.

We only have two good vet practices in our area, but should I seek another vets opinion? Would that affect out pet insurance if we do need an MRI scan?

At the very least, I would get another opinion. I would also call your pet insurance and ask what would be covered.

Please know I'll be thinking of you and Misty and hope you can get this all sorted out.

I wonder if your vets have actually seen any Cavaliers with SM? A second opinion might be a good idea, but you could also educate your own vets by looking at Clare Rusbridge's website and printing off anything you think might help your vets to get a more balanced view of SM - which as you know well from many members of this forum and their Cavaliers, is definitely NOT a death sentence and can in many cases be well-controlled with medication. I suspect they've only seen Pedigree Dogs Exposed and not kept up with their professional reading (fair enough - SM is only one of many diseases they have to deal with and they can't be expert in all of them - but then they should admit ignorance and not give you bad advice!). In particular, print off Dr Rusbridge's algorithm of treatment, which is intended to help vets manage SM with medication. You could also suggest that they look at the website themselves:

As a first step, why not ask your vet to give you a referral to a neurologist, who would be able to give you an idea of whether Misty needs to have an MRI. And if they don't want to do that, just go to a neurologist anyway - I'm sure someone on this forum could recommend one in SW Scotland.

It may not make the SM go away but dogs can live very good lives when managed on medication! I have 3 with CM/SM on medication. It's like a difference between night and day!

Either Pregabalin or Gabapentin alone can province significant relief! I am SHOCKED a vet would say it is not necessary. It is a MEDICALLY MANAGEABLE CONDITION. True you can't necessarily stop the progression without surgery and even that is a gamble, but why leave them in pain? While you may need to play around a little with the medication to find the right dosage but its not impossible! Depending on the severity of the MRI and they symptoms a specialist will be able to come up with a treatment plan to start with!

I'm just shocked a vet would recommend leaving a dog in pain due to the fact its not a curable condition! I would be looking for a new vet ASAP ... OR DEMANDING a referral for a specialist. IF it is SM it is manageable! TRUST ME! Otherwise my 3 would be in terrible pain! Without medication I'm sure at least 2 of them would have to be given there wings due to there symptoms being so sever. Thanks to medication they are able to enjoy a happy and relatively normal life!

Also just because a dog is not screaming or yelping does not mean that abnormal or painful sensations are not there. Scratching & face rubbing from SM is likely due to abnormal, uncomfortable or painful feelings or sensations. Before starting medication on my dogs I think I greatly underestimated the amount of discomfort they were in. They may not have been screaming in pain but after starting on the appropriate medication they are obviously much happier and more active.

Also just because a dog is not screaming or yelping does not mean that abnormal or painful sensations are not there. Scratching & face rubbing from SM is likely due to abnormal, uncomfortable or painful feelings or sensations. Before starting medication on my dogs I think I greatly underestimated the amount of discomfort they were in. They may not have been screaming in pain but after starting on the appropriate medication they are obviously much happier and more active.

Thank you. I did doubt myself, wondering if I'm over reacting, but I know I'm not really. The symptoms are there, and I know my dog.

He was more receptive than the first vet, it was the first one who said there was no treatment, and brushed me off Like I say he has given me Metacam, and said to see if there was an improvement at all.

Kate like you say maybe they haven't seen any Cav's with SM/CM symptoms, and he's trying not to get my hopes up as he hasn't heard of positive results. However, I've read success stories on here that are heart warming. I think that if I go back and ask for her to be referred, then he will do it. Maybe I let his cautioning words put me off. I'm not fully aware on the testing process, is it a consult and then an MRI scan? There aren't any risks involved in any of it are there?

I'll start the Metacam tomorrow morning though. Should I see if there are any improvements before demanding a scan? Any idea how long it would take for any improvements to show?

She's also started whipping round and looking at her rear end, not everyday, just on the odd occasion.

He said it's a possibility that her symptoms could be SM related, but as there are no treatments for SM, would it be worth putting her through all the tests to find out. He said I need to weigh up the process against how much pain I think she could be in. I asked, is it not worth getting scanned so she could be properly medicated. His response confused me even more. He said it's so hard to balance the meds, and that most of the time the results are not successful.

The whipping round and looking at her rear end could be anal gland related. Did the vet check them?

In response to the latter half of you post I am astounded that a vet could say this.
It is like telling a cancer patient hey sorry no treatment so will leave you in pain. Shameful.
I hope you opt for a second opinion.